Residents given incomplete RDP houses
Concerned residents want answers about Rdp houses allocation.
eMBALENHLE – Residents of Extension 22 have raised their concerns about the procedure taken when RDP houses are allocated and the procedure that is being followed in the handing over of the houses to the applicants.
They said some of the RDP houses in the area have been occupied and that owners are said to have paid for them.
The Ridge Times visited the owners of the new RDP houses who explained how they were given the houses.
They said they received telephone calls from the municipality to fetch their keys at the municipal office in December.
“I signed a form and was advised to occupy the house immediately because some people were selling the houses,” said a house owner.
The house owners added that they were shocked when they realised that the houses were not finished.
There are also no electricity and water.
About 14 families in the new section are getting water from a leaking pipe.
They said the houses are leaking and some houses have cracks.
“If we had a choice, we would not have occupied the houses, but we are desperate.
“I have been applying for an RDP house for more that eight years.
“There is no electricity and that puts our lives in danger, because criminals do as they please because it is dark here.”
The residents confirmed that there were allegations that the houses were being sold.
They said a number of people confront them daily, asking from whom they had bought the houses and how much they cost.
“We do not know where the rumours come from, but there is no smoke without a fire,” said a resident.
Another resident claimed she paid R1 500 to men who said they were selling RDP houses.
After paying the money, the men were nowhere to be found and their cell phones were off.
“I am still looking for these men.
“I have been applying for an RDP house for more than 10 years and now I will do anything to get it even if it, means buying one.”
Mr Henry Masango, head of marketing and communication, said the municipality is not aware that there are houses that are not complete but occupied.
“The information that we have is that there are houses that have been completed and are occupied a the temporary basis to safeguard them from vandalism, this project happened.
“The municipality is in the process of installing water meters and electricity.
“The houses are declared complete by the provincial inspectors and then the beneficiary will have to sign the Happy Letter to confirm that he or she has found the house in order.
“We will appreciate it if we may be afforded the list of those alleged stand numbers and occupants so that we may be able to investigate and take appropriate action.”
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